History of Chicago Sky in Timeline

The Chicago Sky is a professional women's basketball team in the WNBA, founded before the 2006 season. The team is based in Chicago and competes in the Eastern Conference. The Sky had successful runs between 2013 and 2016, including a WNBA Finals appearance in 2014, and again from 2019 to 2022. In 2021, the Chicago Sky won their first WNBA Championship.

February 2005: Chicago Awarded WNBA Franchise

In February 2005, NBA commissioner David Stern announced that Chicago had been awarded a new WNBA franchise, temporarily named WNBA Chicago.

May 27, 2005: Dave Cowens Announced as Head Coach and GM

On May 27, 2005, Dave Cowens, former NBA player and coach, was announced as the team's first head coach and general manager.

September 20, 2005: Team Name and Logo Debut

On September 20, 2005, the team name and logo formally debuted at the Adler Planetarium. The team colors of yellow and blue were chosen to represent "[a] beautiful day in Chicago between the blue sky and bright sunlight to highlight the spectacular skyline."

November 2005: Expansion Draft

In November 2005, the Chicago Sky held an expansion draft to build its inaugural roster, selecting players such as Brooke Wyckoff, Bernadette Ngoyisa, and Elaine Powell.

February 28, 2006: Minority Shareholders Announced

On February 28, 2006, Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child and Mathew Knowles, father of Beyoncé Knowles, were announced as minority shareholders of the team.

December 12, 2006: Bo Overton Named Head Coach and GM

On December 12, 2006, Bo Overton was named the Chicago Sky's new head coach and general manager, replacing Dave Cowens.

2006: Franchise Founded

Prior to the 2006 season, the Chicago Sky franchise was founded and joined the WNBA.

2007: Armintie Price Named Rookie of the Year

During the 2007 season, Armintie Price was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year.

March 12, 2008: Overton Resigns, Key Named Head Coach/GM

On March 12, 2008, Bo Overton resigned as coach/general manager amid harassment allegations, and assistant coach Steven Key was named head coach/general manager.

2008: Sky radio broadcast discontinued

In 2008, WVON-AM 1690 discontinued the radio broadcast of Chicago Sky games due to a financial disagreement. The radio broadcast of home games was available online during the 2008 season, but not since.

2008: Sylvia Fowles Drafted

In the 2008 WNBA draft, the Sky selected Sylvia Fowles with the second overall pick.

2009: Kristi Toliver Drafted

In the 2009 WNBA draft, the Sky selected point guard Kristi Toliver with the third overall pick.

October 28, 2010: Pokey Chatman Hired as Coach

On October 28, 2010, Pokey Chatman was hired as the Chicago Sky's new head coach and general manager, replacing Steven Key.

2011: Courtney Vandersloot Drafted

In the 2011 WNBA draft, the Sky selected Courtney Vandersloot as the third overall pick. During the 2011 season, Sylvia Fowles was also named Defensive Player of the Year.

2012: Experienced Players Added

Before the 2012 season, the Sky focused on adding more experience, signing former champions Ticha Penicheiro and Ruth Riley, and trading for Swin Cash and Le'Coe Willingham.

2013: Delle Donne Drafted, Playoff Appearance

The 2013 season was a turning point for the Sky, as they drafted Elena Delle Donne, who was named Rookie of the Year, and reached the playoffs for the first time.

2014: WNBA Finals Appearance

In 2014, the Chicago Sky played in the WNBA Finals.

2014: Allie Quigley Named Sixth Woman of the Year

In the 2014 season, Allie Quigley was named Sixth Woman of the Year. The Sky reached the WNBA Finals for the first time, but were swept by the Phoenix Mercury.

February 2015: Cappie Pondexter Acquired

In February 2015, the Sky acquired Chicago native Cappie Pondexter from the New York Liberty in a trade for Epiphanny Prince.

December 6, 2016: Amber Stocks Hired

On December 6, 2016, Amber Stocks was hired as the Chicago Sky's head coach and general manager, replacing Pokey Chatman.

2016: Playoff Appearance

In the 2016 season, the Sky finished 4th in the league and returned to the playoffs, losing in the semifinals to the Los Angeles Sparks.

2016: League Standing

The information relates to league standings from 2016 onwards.

2017: Delle Donne Traded

During the 2016–17 offseason, the Sky traded Elena Delle Donne to the Washington Mystics and missed the playoffs for the first time in five seasons in 2017.

2017: Vandersloot Sets Assists Record

During the 2017 season, Courtney Vandersloot led the league in assists, setting a new assists-per-game record.

August 31, 2018: Stocks Relieved as Head Coach and GM

On August 31, 2018, the Sky relieved Amber Stocks as head coach and general manager.

November 2018: James Wade Hired

In November 2018, James Wade was hired as the Chicago Sky's new head coach and general manager.

2019: Playoff Appearance

The 2019 season was a turnaround for the Sky, with a 20–14 record and a playoff appearance. James Wade received the Coach of the Year Award.

2020: Season in Bradenton Bubble

In the 2020 season, shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic and held in a bubble in Bradenton, Florida, the Sky finished with a 12–10 record and lost in the first round of the playoffs.

February 1, 2021: Candace Parker Signed

On February 1, 2021, the Sky announced the signing of free agent Candace Parker.

October 17, 2021: First WNBA Championship

On October 17, 2021, the Chicago Sky won their first WNBA Championship after defeating the Phoenix Mercury 3–1 in the 2021 WNBA Finals.

October 19, 2021: Championship Parade and Rally

On October 19, 2021, a parade and rally were held to celebrate the Chicago Sky's first WNBA Championship.

2021: Azurá Stevens brought back to the Sky

In 2021, Azurá Stevens who was a 2021 champion, was brought back to the Sky.

2021: WNBA Championship

In 2021, the Chicago Sky won their first WNBA Championship.

2022: Playoff Semifinals

In the 2022 season, the Chicago Sky finished with a 26-10 record and lost in the semifinals to the Connecticut Sun.

October 2023: Teresa Weatherspoon Named Head Coach

In October 2023, Teresa Weatherspoon was named the new head coach, and Jeff Pagliocca became the new general manager for the Sky.

2023: Wade Resigns

The 2023 season marked significant changes for the Sky, including James Wade's resignation in July, as well as the team's loss in the first round of the playoffs to the Las Vegas Aces.

August 26, 2024: Skye the Lioness introduced as new mascot

On August 26, 2024, Skye the Lioness was introduced as the new mascot of the Chicago Sky, replacing “Sky Guy”. The lioness was inspired by the lion sculptures at the Art Institute of Chicago.

August 28, 2024: Skye the Lioness debut game at Wintrust Arena

On August 28, 2024, Skye the Lioness had its debut game at the Wintrust Arena. Sky Guy remained through the 2024 season to support Skye the Lioness' debut.

November 2024: Tyler Marsh named new head coach

In November 2024, Tyler Marsh was named the new head coach of the Chicago Sky.

2024: Failed Playoff Appearance

In the 2024 season, the Sky ultimately finished 10th with a 13–27 record and failed to make the playoffs. After the season, Weatherspoon was fired.

2025: Chicago Sky finish with league-worst record

In 2025, the Chicago Sky finished with a league-worst 10-34 record due to injuries and player absences. During the season, Reese voiced frustration and was suspended for half a game. Reese averaged 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals, led the WNBA in rebounding for the second year straight and made her second All-Star appearance.